In a constantly evolving market landscape, Expo Riva Schuh and Gardabags stand as the leading international platform for footwear and bags, continuing to offer practical tools to support the work of manufacturers and buyers worldwide.
Tennis teaches us that generations of champions change with the passing of decades – Swedes, Americans, Spaniards, and today Italians. Yet to be truly crowned, every champion must win a Grand Slam: the tournaments that have always been the benchmark for those who aspire to excel.
Economist Enrico Cietta, President of the Scientific Committee of Expo Riva Schuh and Gardabags, concluded his speech at the opening of the January 2026 edition (10–13 January) with this sporting analogy. Beyond the metaphor, in a market whose horizons are constantly shifting – with globalisation still very much present, albeit in new forms and with new characteristics – and with production landscapes whose "rankings" are destined to change over time, it is vital to uphold trusted benchmarks. To succeed on the international circuit, participation in certain unmissable “tournaments” and trade fairs is essential – such as those organised by Riva del Garda Fierecongressi.
“In this scenario, the real added value of Expo Riva Schuh and Gardabags lies in its nature as a neutral and independent trade fair: not being bound to any specific vested interests allows us to evolve in order to respond solely to the collective needs of the market,” said Roberto Pellegrini, Chairman of Riva del Garda Fierecongressi. “Our future is already mapped out: the event will no longer be just a footwear and bags fair, but will evolve into a global hub for mass-market fashion. A transformation that will be driven by merchandise diversification, offering buyers and manufacturers practical answers to what the industry truly needs.”
The opening of the Autumn/Winter 2026–27 edition of Expo Riva Schuh and Gardabags paints a picture of a truly international exhibition ecosystem, strongly representative of the global footwear and leather goods supply chains.
The figures confirm this central role: 1,057 brands and exhibitors from 40 countries bring Expo Riva Schuh’s halls to life – 40% of them European and 60% from outside Europe. China remains the leading exhibiting country, followed by Italy, India and Turkey – a clear sign of the balance between major production hubs and the historic districts of Made in Europe.
Alongside footwear, Gardabags further strengthens its position as the dedicated event for bags, leather goods, luggage and travel accessories. Over 80 companies are evenly distributed across the Brands, Sourcing and Sourcing4Bridge areas, with a curated selection covering different business models and market segments. Among the exhibitors are well-established, internationally recognised brands, offering buyers a broad and immediately readable overview of the market. These include: Pelletteria Charlotte, Custo Barcelona, Marina Galanti, Luana Ferracuti, Armata di Mare, Y-dry, Nannini, Caleidos, American Traveller and Lancetti.
“Being the first fair on the calendar gives us a very clear responsibility: to anticipate market movements and developments. Riva del Garda once again positions itself as a vital meeting point for the global community, where evolving industry demands are met with practical answers," stated Alessandra Albarelli, General Manager of Riva del Garda Fierecongressi. “We have designed an offer that can adapt to every need, from independent retailers to large-scale distribution, further strengthening the Gardabags project and its different production segments. But we do not focus solely on the product: through the Innovation Village Retail and its 10 startups, we bring to the fair the technologies that will transform the shopping experience. With fully booked halls and buyer delegations from every continent, we are ready to guide the industry towards the challenges of the years ahead.”
A particularly noteworthy highlight is the first-time participation of a collective of 14 Argentine leather goods companies. Supported by the Fundación Argentina para la Promoción de Inversiones y Comercio Internacional and the industry association CIMA, the delegation brings to Riva del Garda the excellence of Argentine leather – renowned for its quality, durability and craftsmanship. The collections range from premium lines for specialist boutiques to more fashion-driven ranges designed for broader distribution, with the aim of strengthening the international presence of Argentine leather goods in the premium and bridge segments of the global market.
On the demand side, the exhibition welcomes 137 hosted buyers and international journalists from 29 countries, in addition to the strong base of already registered professionals and operators. Their profiles are evenly spread across independent retailers, chains of various sizes, e-commerce, importers, distributors and buying offices – further confirming Expo Riva Schuh and Gardabags’ ability to attract all the key players in international distribution.
GLOBALISATION HAS NOT COME TO A HALT – IT IS CHANGING SHAPE
Exhibitors and buyers will meet at the fair against the backdrop of a market that is undergoing continuous and progressive change, as explained by Enrico Cietta: “A new model of Affinity Globalisation is taking shape, in which supply chains are no longer organised solely around cost or production efficiency, but around geopolitical, cultural and industrial affinities, as well as risk management considerations.”
According to Cietta, the pandemic accelerated this shift by exposing the fragility of supply chains concentrated in just a few countries and encouraging a wider geographical spread of production.
Within this scenario, China is gradually losing share in fashion-related manufacturing and increasingly focusing on higher value-added production and consumption.
Spheres of influence are also evolving: production and consumption are tending to overlap and coexist within the same economic systems.
Per-capita consumption data indicate, over time, markets in which replacement demand coexists with so-called “hybrid creative” products.
“In an increasingly complex and fragmented global scenario, Expo Riva Schuh and Gardabags confirm their role as the leading international platform, able to adapt their offer and services to connect the ever-changing needs of markets, supply chains and operators,” Cietta concludes.
Matteo Masini, Head of the Consumer Goods Office at ITA – Italian Trade Agency, also highlighted the complexity of a world shaped by multiple changes: “Our network of offices in more than 70 countries enables us to respond promptly to the challenges presented by the market, as well as to provide support – which could be further strengthened for the next June edition – to events such as Expo Riva Schuh and Gardabags.”
CONSTANTS AND NEW FEATURES AT THE FAIR
The exhibition further strengthens its role as an operational tool to help navigate the current period of geopolitical instability, supply chain fragmentation and the redefinition of production and distribution geographies. An evolution that takes shape through services, formats and in-depth sessions designed to offer information, opportunities for exchange and networking to the show’s community.
The events calendar features a rich program ranging from innovation and consumer trends to international networking. The Innovation Village Retail and the Startup Competition will host selected start-ups from seven countries, invited to present practical solutions for distribution and supply chains. Meanwhile, the Highlights Area – created in collaboration with Arsutoria – will guide visitors through the key consumer trends for footwear, sneakers and bags (discover the trends). The Market Focus sessions will offer detailed insights into international markets through dedicated analyses, as well as facilitating meetings between exhibitors and buyers from specific geographical areas.
Further highlights include the new Showcase Area, conceived as a dedicated display space presenting a curated selection of bags, leather goods and travel accessories from Gardabags exhibitors’ collections; The launch of the new Garda Trentino Lounge – a welcoming space for media, partners and guests located in Hall D, created in partnership with Garda Dolomiti Azienda per il Turismo; A new food area dedicated to pizza in Hall A3; and a stand distributing promotional gadgets in Hall C3.
Alongside the on-site program, Expo Riva Schuh and Gardabags once again underline the value of informal networking moments by hosting Expo Riva Nights, designed to bring industry professionals together in a relaxed and enjoyable setting.
This year also marks the debut at Expo Riva Schuh and Gardabags of the “Case del Made in Italy” initiative promoted by the Italian Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy, introduced at major national trade fairs to support companies in exhibition venues. Developed under a memorandum of understanding with AEFI – the Association of Italian Exhibitions and Trade Fairs – the initiative offers businesses guidance on incentives, supply chain protection and internationalisation. With this national preview, the Riva del Garda event launches a new model of cooperation between Government and local territories aimed at safeguarding Italy’s excellence.
The message from Adolfo Urso, Minister of Enterprises and Made in Italy, read out during the opening ceremony by Ministerial Advisor Roberto Luongo, underlined the importance of preserving the excellence of Made in Italy by helping companies invest in digitalisation and sustainability. “In a world that presents continuous challenges, but also opportunities – as demonstrated by the recent agreement with MERCOSUR – Expo Riva Schuh and Gardabags represent a clear example of what the trade fairs of the future must look like: able to welcome the entire world, all types of industry operators, and to meet their evolving needs through a diversified range of services. In doing so, they help drive the entire industry and the Italian market, which in 2025 became the world’s fourth-largest exporter after China, the USA and Germany.”
The opening of the January 2026 edition once again confirms Expo Riva Schuh and Gardabags as the industry’s true “major tournament”: not merely a showcase, but a shared working platform where the market can be interpreted, ongoing transformations discussed and valuable relationships built to face the future. In a global circuit that is changing both its champions and its rules, the Riva del Garda fair continues to stand out as one of the key constants to build upon.
